Wearable supports

Abstract

A wearable support assembly is provided and includes a belt strap which is configured to be secured about a user's hips/waist; and a carrier frame which is pivotally attached to the belt strap at two pivot points which are spaced apart along the belt strap so as to create a substantially lateral pivot axis when the belt is worn by the user, wherein the relative position of the two pivot points is adjustable with respect to the belt.

1 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A wearable support assembly, comprising:
 a belt strap which is configured to be secured about a user's hips/waist; and   a carrier frame which is pivotally attached to the belt strap at two pivot points which are spaced apart along the belt strap so as to create a substantially lateral pivot axis when the belt is worn by the user,   
       wherein the relative position of the two pivot points is adjustable with respect to the belt. 
     
     
         26 . A wearable support assembly as claimed in  claim 25  wherein the lateral pivot axis passes substantially through the user's centre of mass. 
     
     
         27 . A wearable support assembly as claimed in  claim 25  wherein the belt strap has a width of substantially 50-150 mm. 
     
     
         28 . A wearable support assembly as claimed in  claim 25  wherein the belt includes at least one reinforcing member which is made from an at least partially rigid material. 
     
     
         29 . A wearable support assembly as claimed in  claim 28  wherein the at least one reinforcing member is a strip of polypropylene which spans between the two pivot points. 
     
     
         30 . A wearable support assembly as claimed in  claim 25  wherein the carrier frame is made from a substantially rigid material. 
     
     
         31 . A wearable support assembly as claimed in  claim 25  wherein the carrier frame is configured so that the ends thereof, which are connected to the belt strap, can be extended and/or retracted. 
     
     
         32 . A wearable support assembly as claimed in  claim 25  wherein the carrier frame and/or belt strap is/are configured to have multiple points for pivotal attachments therebetween. 
     
     
         33 . A wearable support assembly as claimed in  claim 25  wherein the carrier frame is configured to provide a gap between the carrier frame and the region of the belt to which the carrier frame is adjacent. 
     
     
         34 . A wearable support assembly as claimed in  claim 25  wherein the carrier frame has an upright frame to which objects can be attached. 
     
     
         35 . A wearable support assembly as claimed in  claim 25  wherein the pivot points are in the form of a pivot and a bearing assembly. 
     
     
         36 . A wearable support assembly as claimed in  claim 25  wherein the pivot points are in the form of a pivot and socket assembly in which the pivot is rotatable. 
     
     
         37 . A wearable support assembly as claimed in  claim 36  wherein the pivot and socket are both made from materials having a low friction coefficient. 
     
     
         38 . A wearable support assembly as claimed in  25  wherein the pivot points are configured to limit the amount of rotation the carrier frame can undergo relative to the belt. 
     
     
         39 . A wearable support assembly as claimed in  claim 37  wherein the pivot point is configured to prevent the carrier frame pivoting away from the belt strap past a position in which it is substantially parallel with the transverse plane of the belt strap. 
     
     
         40 . A wearable support assembly as claimed in  claim 37  wherein the pivot point is configured to prevent the carrier frame from pivoting toward the belt strap past a predetermined point. 
     
     
         41 . A wearable support assembly as claimed in  claim 25  wherein the belt strap and/or carrier frame include one or more mounting points to which one or more objects are removably attachable. 
     
     
         42 . A wearable support assembly as claimed in  claim 41  wherein the one or more mounting points is in the form of a socket. 
     
     
         43 . A wearable support assembly as claimed in  claim 41  wherein the one or more objects include an appliance and associated power source. 
     
     
         44 . A wearable support assembly as claimed in  claim 41  wherein the one or more objects attachable to the carrier frame include one or more shoulder straps.